Bill > S1751

This bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish one or more modular facilities for rearing and dispersing sterile New World screwworm flies in areas deemed at risk of infestation. New World screwworms are destructive parasitic insects that can cause significant damage to livestock and wildlife. The bill mandates that facility construction begin within 180 days of enactment in locations with confirmed screwworm fly migration patterns and suitable conditions for dispersing sterile flies to prevent further spread. The Secretary must submit annual reports to congressional agriculture committees and make them publicly available, detailing the current threat posed by screwworm flies, ongoing efforts to combat their migration, and the effectiveness of those efforts. The bill authorizes $300 million in appropriations to support these activities, with funds remaining available until fully expended. This legislation aims to protect agricultural interests by proactively managing the potential spread of a harmful invasive insect species through strategic breeding and release of sterile flies, which can help suppress population growth and prevent widespread agricultural damage.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1751/all-info